Volvo Trucks has launched a new range of safety systems aimed at increasing the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.

Among the features is the new Front Short Range Assist. The system is designed to detect a cyclist or pedestrian in the risk area in front of the truck, using both radar and a camera, and warns the driver if there is imminent risk of a collision. Another feature is a new door opening warning system. This warns the driver if a pedestrian, cyclist, or car is approaching the truck from behind, on the same side of the truck where the door is opened.

Anna Wrige Berling, Traffic & Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks said, “We’re constantly developing and introducing additional safety systems that can enhance the driver’s capabilities, helping to protect both them and the people they share the road with. At Volvo Trucks, our long-term vision is zero accidents, and safety is at the core of everything we do.”

Some of the new features have been developed to meet or even exceed the EU’s updated safety legislation, the General Safety Regulation (GSR), that will come into effect in July 2024. GSR, which makes several advanced driver support systems mandatory, aims to increase road safety and improve the protection of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. By introducing the legislation, the EU expects to save over 25,000 lives and avoid 140,000 injuries by 2038.

Other new safety features include:

Intelligent Speed Assist

This feature keeps the driver informed about speed limits by detecting road speed signs and displaying the limit on the instrument panel. The system displays the speed limit for the actual vehicle combination and also warns, with both visuals and sound alerts, if the speed limit is exceeded.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

The system monitors the tyre pressures on both the truck and trailer. The new GSR regulation stipulates that if the pressure drops 20% below reference pressure, the driver should be informed via the driver display. The Volvo system exceeds the legal requirements by letting the driver choose to be warned even earlier than the stipulated 20% pressure drop. The system is capable of monitoring a wide range of under and over-pressure readings. In addition, better energy efficiency is achieved by always running the optimum tyre pressures on the vehicle.

 Auto Hold

The Auto Hold feature helps keep the truck stationary until the accelerator is applied, assisting the driver on slopes and hills.

Photo: Volvo Trucks’ new safety features aim to increase the safety of vulnerable road users.

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